Chapter 9 #2
Hearing her name, she turned, only to find herself alone. Unbeknownst to her, Abigail and her brother had descended and were already mingling with the guests.
Captain Fitzwilliam was approaching the foot of the steps with a welcoming grin. “Miss Bennet,” he repeated with a bow, “it is a pleasure to see you again.”
She took the hand he held out to guide her down. “Thank you, sir,” she curtseyed. “I am delighted to be here. It appears my companions have abandoned me.” Elizabeth gave a nervous laugh.
“You shall see them anon, Miss Bennet. In the meantime,” he looked her over, “Please allow me to say you look enchanting today. Perfectly suited to grace the garden on this lovely day.”
Elizabeth blushed. She was not usually so affected, or so tense.
Giving herself a shake, she scolded–Your courage rises at every attempt to intimidate you.
Taking a deep breath, she released it slowly, allowing her shoulders to fall and her chin to rise.
When her eyes met Captain Fitzwilliam’s she could see approval in his.
“Come, Miss Bennet.” He extended his arm. “Let me introduce you to my parents.”
He directed their steps toward a group of older guests and waited for a pause in the conversation. “Mother, Father.” The couple turned to face their son.
“Richard,” Lady Matlock gave Elizabeth a quick once over and smiled, merely a cool flattening of her lips. “Will you introduce the young lady?”
“Certainly. Lord and Lady Matlock, may I present to you Miss Elizabeth Bennet, of Longbourn in Hertfordshire.”
Elizabeth made a low curtsey, “My Lord, my Lady.”
He continued, “Miss Bennet, Lord Henry Fitzwilliam, Earl of Matlock, and his Countess, Lady Bethany Matlock.”
When Lord Matlock greeted Elizabeth it was evident from whom Captain Fitzwilliam had inherited his smile. “Longbourn? I do not believe I have heard of it.”
“A small estate near the town of Meryton, My Lord. A small market town off the Great North Road.” Elizabeth was proud of her family’s history. Bennets have stewarded Longbourn for ten generations, but she was under no delusions it would be known to anyone else.
“Miss Bennet?”
Elizabeth glanced to the right, her face lighting up, “Lady Anne,” she curtseyed.
Lady Matlock interjected, “Do you know this young lady, Anne?”
Lady Anne noted the disdainful tone in her sister’s question.
“Yes, Bethany, I do. I met Miss Bennet some weeks prior and have spent a considerable amount of time with her. Georgiana and I both enjoy her company.” Lady Anne turned to her nephew, “Richard, would you be so kind as to show Miss Bennet around and introduce her to the young people?”
He bowed gallantly, “It would be my pleasure, Aunt.” With a flourish, he escorted Elizabeth away. As they left, Elizabeth heard Lady Matlock say, “Really, Anne, where do you find these creatures? I hope you do not have any designs on matching her with my son.”
“Bethany, please lower your voice. Miss Bennet is a lovely gentlewoman. Have no fear for Richard, she is not for him.”
Fortunately, Elizabeth could hear no more as they walked toward Lady Rosamund.
“Miss Bennet, when did you arrive? Richard, have you been keeping her to yourself?”
“I have not, however much I might wish to.” He winked. “I introduced Miss Bennet to our parents first. I am under orders from Lady Anne, to ensure she meets everyone.”
Elizabeth grimaced in mock horror, “Dear me, pray, not everyone.”
“Nonsense, Miss Bennet, something tells me you rarely have difficulty engaging with society.”
“Not usually, no, but it can be a trial if the other person is less than amiable.”
“Indeed,” Lady Rosamund agreed with her.
“Miss Bennet.” Elizabeth stiffened, then sighed, turning around. “Mr Darcy. Good day, sir.” She curtseyed.
“Miss Bennet, it is an absolute pleasure to see you here.” Darcy wore a serious look, incongruous to their cheerful surroundings.
Captain Fitzwilliam glanced at his cousin in surprise, “I should have realised you were acquainted with Miss Bennet. Your lady mother did say they had met some weeks back.”
“Mr Darcy and I barely know each other.” Elizabeth’s response was swift. Conscious of her aunt’s warning she took a calming breath.
“I am surprised to hear you say so, Miss Bennet. Have we not met and walked in Hyde Park several times?”
“Sir, you will misrepresent me to these good people. To be clear,” she spoke firmly, “I walk in the company of a footman or maid, for exercise. Mr Darcy has happened to cross my path. In fact,” she continued with a half-smile and the rise of one brow, “if I did not know any better, as often as he has joined me, I might accuse him of spying,” she concluded, her impish expression implying no such thing.
“O-of course, I did not mean…” He flushed red, as everyone else laughed. Captain Fitzwilliam’s narrowed eyes remained fixed on his cousin.
Desperate to change the topic, Elizabeth turned to Lady Rosamund once again.
“Thank you for inviting me. I was all anticipation for the day and most pleased to be greeted with blue, cloudless skies this morning. One would almost think the elements dare not dampen your event.” Her eyes twinkled in delight, “It has not rained for several days.”
“My goodness, yes! I had nightmares last night fearing rain would come and wash away all my hard work.” Lady Rosamund exhaled a sigh of relief.
“Everything looks charming, and the garden is extraordinary.” Elizabeth assured her new friend.
“Abigail is just over there. Let us collect her and tour it together.” The two ladies walked away, arm in arm.
Captain Fitzwilliam clamped his hand on Darcy’s arm to stop him from following. “Darce, what has you so…”
“So… what?” Darcy watched the ladies walk away.
“Discomfited, nervous, your drawers in a twist. Take your pick, as you are even more high-strung than usual.”
Darcy made a face, “I am not; cease interrogating me.”
“This can hardly be called an…” Captain Fitzwilliam gaped. “You like her.” He pulled on the arm he was still holding to haul Darcy to a more secluded part of the garden.
“I do not.” Darcy jerked his arm free from his cousin’s grip and tugged at his cuffs.
“You do. Ha! What a good joke. You like her, and do not know how to talk to her.” He crossed his arms over his chest and smirked.
“I bet you were spying on her. How else might you know when she takes her walks? Or did you pay a servant to keep you informed?” He waggled his eyebrows up and down.
“Not the first time that kind of arrangement was made in this town.”
“Richard! Of course not.” He continued, muttering under his breath. “I simply went out often–hoping to catch her.”
“Darce! Dear Lord, what shall I do with you?” Captain Fitzwilliam chortled. “From the looks of it, it does not appear as though the lady appreciates your efforts. Tell me, when you walked with her, did you speak? Actually attempt to engage her in conversation?”
“I know how to speak to young ladies.” Darcy tried not to look affronted.
“No, you do not. You are so used to being chased and fleeing the hunters, now you wish to woo one and you are incapable.” Captain Fitzwilliam guffawed at Darcy’s predicament.
Grumbling, Darcy crossed his arms over his chest. He hated when his cousin was right. Richard knew him too well.
“Cousin, you spent so much time holding yourself above the banal social niceties that now, when you must make an effort to converse and flirt, you cannot.” Captain Fitzwilliam laughed again and smacked Darcy on the back. “This is too rich.”
“Good heavens, Richard. Keep your voice down.” Heads were beginning to turn in their direction.
“Nay, this is delicious payback, but I will give you a lover’s tip. Speak to her as you would any intelligent and rational person, stop being so arrogant! And since you did not practise as you should have, do not flirt with the lady, you shall only scare her away.”
Captain Fitzwilliam, amused at his cleverness, was bent forward in silent guffaws of laughter. Darcy watched him for a few moments, then stalked away in exasperation, to seek out the ladies.
Lady Rosamund and Elizabeth approached Miss Mansfield who was conversing with Mr Vernon. Her brother stood beside them looking bored. Elizabeth hid her smile.
“Mr Vernon, good day. I see you are the reason my chaperones abandoned me.”
“Forgive me, Miss Bennet, but now you must rescue me. I am bored to tears.” Mr Mansfield feigned a tortured look.